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Abstract
The need for post-adoption support is critical; however, access or availability of competent support is limited. By conducting a scoping review, this study’s purpose was to strengthen the understanding of historic and current post-adoption support. The literature search identified 540 articles. After analysis, 27 studies met the eligibility criteria for review. Extracted themes from the review included target population and setting, goals and purpose of service provision, description of service provision, and outcomes. Services were primarily focused on families, provided in a multi-service delivery context or with specific targeted interventions or populations focusing on strengthening family connections and preventing discontinuity. Studies assessing outcomes, while mostly lacking rigorous evaluation methods, proved to be positive. The review also highlighted the need for increased publication in existing programming or intervention utilizing rigorous methods as well as competency evaluation, exploring capacity-building strategies to increase current support, and analyzing and removing barriers connected to availability and accessibility for support available to assist adoptees and their families more effectively throughout the adoption life cycle.
Acknowledgments
This paper and the research behind it would not have been possible without the exceptional support of two of my DSW professors, Dr. Hays and Dr. Choi. Their guidance, support, and encouragement have been instrumental in the completion of this research.
Declaration of interest statement
The author declares that she has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.